“Champagne was considered a stimulant. And a lot of trainers — these guys had trainers — advised their pedestrians to drink a lot of champagne during the race.”
Matthew Algeo, in interview with NPR
April 3, 2014
Edward Payson Weston was one of the most famous pedestrians of the 19th century.
People would pay 10 cents just to watch him walk in circles all day.
He would go to the roller rink and walk 100 miles
in 24 hours. O’Leary was really one of the first
famous Irish-American athletes. He was the spokesman
for a brand of salt. The Ali/Frazier of their generation.
Gambling was a big part of the allure, no doubt
You could bet on who would be the first pedestrian to drop out
They drank champagne by the bottle.
Before the safety bicycle, there were penny farthings — with
a tiny little back wheel. They weren’t very nimble
but the safety bicycle was nimble, much more
interesting to watch race around a track for six days
more interesting than the pedestrians
just walking.
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